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As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, languages and cultures are coming together from across the globe, and are playing a crucial role in areas such as business and international relations. Learning and knowing multiple languages, in other words being bilingual, can provide a plethora of benefits. Instilling a second, or even third, language in a child at a young age, can work to spur lifelong success. There are two areas in which children who know multiple languages see benefits: in knowledge, and career success.

First, an article from theNew York Timesoutlines ways in which bilinguals are simply smarter. Knowing multiple languages improves cognitive skills, and even has the potential to shield against brain diseases, such as dementia, later in life. Evidence shows that in a bilingual’s brain, both languages are constantly at work, resulting in an increase in the brain’s ability to resolve internal conflicts, strengthening cognitive skill. The article cites a 2004 study in which bilingual and monolingual preschoolers were tasked with sorting blue circles and red squares into their respective bins, for sorting and organization. The result? The bilinguals not only sorted the shapes by color faster, but also placed them in their appropriate bins much faster than the monolinguals. The article summarizes that studies like these are indicative of a larger picture. Bilinguals have a “heightened ability to monitor the environment”, stemming from having to switch languages often. Due to this heightened ability, bilinguals are more adept at analyzing, solving, and comprehending issues much faster than monolinguals.

The benefits of being bilingual extends beyond childhood. The article cites a recent study conducted by the University of California, San Diego, involving 44 elderly Spanish-English bilinguals. The researchers found that those with a high degree of bilingualism, resulting from a high proficiency in each language, were more resistant than monolinguals to onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Learning multiple languages, in addition to making one smarter, can also work to prevent some of the world’s most devastating diseases. To put it simply, the benefits of being bilingual are immense.

Second, knowing multiple languages can be the pathway to a successful career, and ultimately, a successful life. Since the world is now more interconnected than ever, interaction with different peoples and cultures is much more common than it was a hundred years ago. Therefore, knowing how to interact with a wider range of people can galvanize one’s ability to not only get a job, but be prosperous in their occupation. According to a study by the University of Florida, Hispanics who are fluent in both English and Spanish can earn almost $7,000 more than those who only speak English. Similarly, bilinguals in the U.S. earn 7 percent more than monolinguals. Babbel, an online language learning program, articulates that speaking more than one language opens up career opportunities that are unavailable to monolinguals, such as jobs as translators, and in the education and healthcare sector. Financially, and according to Salary.com, bilingual employees can make between 5 and 20 percent more per hour than monolingual employees. Learning another language is one important key to occupational success.

When parents are looking for childcare options, they often discover that they have two main choices: hire a nanny or enroll their child in a preschool. While hiring a nanny may seem like a compelling idea, once one has had the chance to compare the benefits against the negatives, enrolling your child in an established and certified daycare center clearly becomes the better option. There are several reasons as to why parents should prefer preschools over nannies.

One of the major problems with hiring a nanny is that they can be incredibly expensive and offer less benefits to the development of the child than a daycare center would. Most nannies do not teach using a standardized curriculum, meaning that children are not taught the problem solving and social skills that they would in an established daycare center. For instance, Montessori Kids Universe employs the time-tested Reggio Emilia inspired and Montessori curriculum which focuses on the individual child in order to build their social and developmental skills. A nanny is also only one person, whereas the certified team of staff at daycare locations are trained to guide the learning process of the child. None of this is able to happen with a nanny.

With a nanny, the child is never exposed to other children, and therefore never has the chance to develop social skills and become curious and independent learner. By enrolling your child into a daycare center, you are giving your child the unique opportunity to make friends, learn problem solving skills, learn teamwork techniques, as well as conflict resolution skills. None of this can happen when only a nanny is present. Learning social skills early on, in a preschool environment, has the potential to put your child leagues ahead of other children when the time comes to enroll in school. This is why, for example, at Montessori Kids Universe special care is taken to implement lessons on building social development skills into curriculum. Children are taught how to be courteous and kind to each other, as well as how to improve interpersonal communication skills.

Another major benefit of using a daycare rather than a nanny is consistency and reliability. If a nanny is sick or late to take care of your child, your entire schedule could be thrown into disruption. This is not a problem with a daycare, as daycares make all effort to maintain high levels of consistency and operate the entire week without disruption. Childcare is always available.

To put it simply, a daycare and preschool education offers many advantages that are not found with a traditional nanny. Preschools use standardized curriculums to ensure that what the child is being taught is meaningful and beneficial. Preschools are also consistent, avoiding the problem of a late or sick nanny. Lastly, daycare centers are a heaven for social interaction, allowing children to develop social skills that they simply would not be able to develop at home with a nanny.

Most people have heard the basic information that exercise and physical activity has many important benefits. But what many don’t realize is the benefits of physical activity also apply to children. In fact, there are some unique benefits for children. Here are some of those important benefits to encourage you to have an active child.

The most obvious benefit of physical activity is the physical health benefits. Children who are active at least 60 minutes a day, demonstrate lower rates of obesity. They also have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Physical activity also reduces blood pressure, lowers cholesterol levels, strengthens bones and builds up muscles.

An extensive review of 14 different studies, ranging from as few as 50 to as many as 12,000 participants found that the more physically active children are, the better they do academically. The strong belief is that regular participation in physical activity enhances brain function and cognition which thereby improves academic performance. Although it has not been proven, there are several most commonly held beliefs as to how this occurs. The first theory is that increased activity causes increased blood and oxygen flow to the brain heightening cognition. Another theory is that increased levels of norepinephrine and endorphins that result from the activity act to decrease stress, improve mood, and thereby inherently lead better academic performance. That improved academic performance translates into higher reading and math test scores.

Many studies have proven that physical activity in children improves sleep patterns and a lack of physical activity has the opposite effect. For example, a research study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood reports that every hour of inactivity adds three minutes to the time it takes children to fall asleep. Additionally, it also reported that children who fall asleep quicker also sleep for longer. Another study analyzed level of physical activity and its correlation to time it took for the child to fall asleep. The study found that children who had higher levels of physical activity fell asleep faster than their inactive counterparts.

With many health benefits, improved academic performance, as well as improved sleep patterns, physical activity has a plethora of clear benefits for children.

One of the main differences between a Montessori education and a traditional one is that the Montessori method focuses on individual learning at a child’s individual pace. Although it may seem as if that would slow the child down, it actually does the opposite. Because students are permitted to explore areas that they are most interested in, they are naturally encouraged to explore more challenging areas and dig deeper into a topic. The measures of achievement look at individual progress and development rather than traditional methods like grades and tests. A study conducted by the University of Virginia found that Montessori students had significantly better scores when tested against non Montessori students in mental performance, academic abilities and social and behavioral skills. The study further showed that the Montessori students were better equipped to adapt to changing and complex problems. This ability is often treated as a predictor of future success, another indicator that a Montessori education better prepares students for future success.

Another key value of a Montessori education is its emphasis on fostering independence among the students. In her book The Absorbent Mind, Maria Montessori writes, “The child’s conquests of independence are the basic steps in what is called his ‘natural development’, labeling independence as one of the key aspects of development. It is vital to begin fostering independence at a young age and Montessori allows that to occur.

The Montessori Method, especially when paired with Reggio Emilia enrichment, also serves to grow a child’s creativity. With Montessori, children are encouraged to follow their interests, leading to an inherent growth in creativity as they are doing tasks that they want to rather than to prepare for an exam or because they are told to do so. This allows children to enjoy the process of learning rather than just the end result allowing for a creative process to occur and for a child’s love of learning to grow. In an environment where students are forced to learn “for the test” or because the “curriculum says so” a student’s natural love of learning is often extinguished and along with it the ability for creative expression. A Montessori education avoids those issues by working for the opposite goals: fueling a child’s love of learning and allowing a child to explore his or her passions. When a Montessori education is also paired with the Reggio Emilia designated creative art space, creativity increases even more.

A Montessori education has many unique benefits that are vital to lifelong success and are not accessible with a traditional education.

Watching your child grow up is bittersweet and we often think it goes by too fast. One day they can’t sit up by themselves and then at the blink of an eye they are ready for preschool. It’s hard, but every parent, without a doubt, wants the best for their child. Unfortunately that shock that your child is getting older, combined with the ability for a parent to stay home a few days of the week, often leaves parents opting for a part time program. Although it is better than not attending preschool at all, there are many benefits that your child receives at a full-time program that they will be missing by attending part-time.

The Journal of the American Medical Association found that children are better prepared for learning and social interaction in full-time preschools than in part-time programs. The article explains that students in full-day programs showed higher scores in social development, language, math and physical education than their part-time peers. Additionally, a study conducted by Arthur J. Reynolds, PhD, of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and his colleagues discovered that full-time preschool programs yield students better prepared for school than those who attended a part-time program. The children who attended the full-time program had higher scores on measures of school readiness skills, increased attendance and reduced chronic absences, when compared to those who attended a part-time program.

Although full-time attendance is important for all preschool students, it is even more critical for those in a Montessori program. A large aspect of the Montessori curriculum is consistency and constancy. Simply put, that means that students receive the full benefit of the Montessori program only through attendance of five days a week with three hour work cycles. There is no other way to achieve the full benefit of a Montessori education if not for consistent attendance. Part of a Montessori education and an aspect that we focus on in our classrooms is independent learning and student driven studies. We allow our students to choose what to focus on as well as learn at their own pace. A large part of that is if a student is learning something very interesting but time runs out, they know that their materials and everything else they need to continue will be there waiting for them the next day. This allows the student to continue thinking about a subject and the short wait time can often make them even more excited to continue. The issue arises, however, when a constant routine is not established. If a student doesn’t attend every day of the week, they often will have forgotten what captivated their mind the last time they were in school and have to get re-inspired to learn a topic. Having a part-time schedule leads to students not being able to truly be independent and the leaders of their own learning. Children flourish with routine and the best way to get a consistent routine is to get into the rhythm of school for five days a week and the weekend for anything else.

We know that seeing your child grow up is hard but our desire to provide the best possible education for our child and setting them on a path to achieve whatever they desire, begins now! Setting your child up for success starts at preschool and the most effective way to do that is with a full-time program.

As a person who attended summer camp for most of my youth, summer camp memories are some of the best I have. Spending days with my friends, learning from the counselors and just getting out of the house, made for incredible memories. On the contrary, the one summer I spent without camp I remember feeling trapped at home and simply bored out of my mind. My friends who attended camp echo the sentiment that simply put, summer camp rocks!

On a more psychological and developmental level, Peter Scales, Ph.D., a senior fellow with the Search Institute in Minneapolis, explains that “camp is one of the few institutions where young people can experience and satisfy their need for physical activity, creative expression and true participation in a community environment”. He further analyses that in a structured environment, such as camp, children get the opportunity to interact with positive role models who have time to talk, relax, and reflect. Children also learn to work together, make choices, take responsibility, develop creative skills, build independence and self reliance, and gain confidence. All of those skills are necessary steps on a child’s path to a healthy, productive life. Bruce Muchnick, a licensed psychologist explains that “the camp community seeks to satisfy children’s basic need for connectedness, affiliation, belonging, acceptance, safety, and feelings of acceptance and appreciation”.

The difference between us and most other summer camps is that while we are focused on providing a fun experience, we also aim to keep each child mentally stimulated and learning. According to the Wallace Foundation Study, by the end of summer, students perform, on average, one month behind where they left off in the spring – and these effects are cumulative. To combat such negative effects, the study identifies that students must continue to be mentally engaged. If a child experiences severe skill deterioration over the summer, they are likely to fall behind their peers the following year, and that cycle is very likely to continue if summers are wasted.

Summer camp offers so much for every child. It offers great memories, a great community, a fun learning environment, lays the groundwork for future success, and so much more.

A Montessori education strives to help children master the skills necessary to meet fundamental needs. Parents can support this objective at home with simple activities like helping children pack their lunch for school each day.

A Montessori-Style Lunch
You can support your children’s education by encouraging them to implement some of their newly-learned skills at home. One fun way to do this is by helping your preschoolers prepare a Montessori-style lunch each day for school. A Montessori-style lunch provides opportunities for your children to apply some of the practical life skills learned at school in the home environment. For example, they can practice opening and closing containers and using a spoon to transfer food. They can also name the shapes of the containers and identify the different ingredients being used to make their lunch. What an exciting way to watch your children accomplish a practical life task and experience the satisfaction they portray upon successful completion!

When selecting foods for your children’s lunch, be sure to keep their delicate taste buds and appropriate portion sizes in mind. For example, instead of packing a whole sandwich that an adult would likely prefer, pack elements of the sandwich in separate, small containers. You can put cheese slices in one and turkey slices in another. A separate container might be used for crackers and another one for fruit slices. Small, individual portions encourage your preschoolers to combine their foods as they see fit…creating new, interesting combinations that they will certainly be excited to eat. You can even make their lunch visually appealing by helping them make carrot roses or prepare small-sized sandwiches in fun shapes. Children also love to dip their veggies in soft dips such as yogurt and peanut butter. The beauty of this experience is that it’s nutritious, educational, and fun!

Is your child getting enough unstructured play time each day? With the very scheduled lives that most children have these days, it’s important to fit in some free time for your preschooler. Not only does it give your child time to unwind, but her intelligence and creativity are further developed during free play as she figures out how things work on her own.

Benefits of Free Play
Why is unstructured play so important? Free play is vital to both the physical and emotional well-being of children. Some of the benefits include:

Enhances self-confidence

Develops creativity

Fosters independence

Helps children overcome fears

Teaches children to share and settle disagreements with others

Encourages children to exercise decision-making skills

Helps children discover areas of interest on their own

Keeps children active, helping ward off obesity

Develops social skills

Encourages children to interact with their peers

Encourages discovery and learning without self-consciousness that is sometimes present with structured learning

Alleviates the effects of pressure and stress

And of course, it’s fun!

Examples of Free Play
Free play is any unstructured activity that inspires your child to use her imagination without constant adult direction. Examples include:

Neighborhood children playing together in the backyard…perhaps a game of hopscotch or kickball. This is a great way for children to meet their daily physical activity requirements.

Going to the playground to swing, slide, or just run around

Creating artwork such as drawing, coloring, or painting. What a great way for your child to freely express herself!

Reading storybooks of their choosing

Playing dress-up

Children need opportunities to play and explore freely. Daily free play prepares them to work well with others as they approach learning with a sense of enthusiasm.

Behavior problems in school interfere with the educational process for all students in the classroom. If your child’s behavior is getting him in trouble at school, it may be due to issues with sensory processing disorder.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Sensory processing disorder is a condition where the brain has difficulty receiving and responding to information received via the senses.

What are Sensory Processing Issues?
Some children with sensory processing disorder are oversensitive to things, such as sounds, bright lights, or the touch of a shirt on their skin. Oversensitive kids respond easily to sensory stimulation and may find it to be too much to deal with. Examples of these behaviors are:

Inability to endure bright lights and loud noises, like police or ambulance sirens

Easily distracted by common background noises

Fearful of being touched or hugged…especially when caught by surprise

Exceedingly fearful of swings and other playground apparatus

Often bump into people, furniture, etc. Their concept of personal space may be skewed.

Difficulty recognizing the amount of force they’re using; for example, they may unknowingly slam down objects.

Experience meltdowns when overwhelmed

On the other end of the spectrum, under sensitive children seek out sensory stimulation. They may:

Constantly desire touching people or objects, regardless of whether it is socially acceptable

Have problems recognizing personal space

Have a very high tolerance for pain

Can’t realize their own strength

Fidgety, can’t sit still

Enjoy activities that include jumping, bumping, or crashing

Desire fast, intense movement

Unfortunately, behaviors influenced by sensory processing disorder may be at the root of those phone calls from the school reporting your child’s disruptive behavior. These behaviors can also be mistaken for ADHD, as the symptoms overlap, making diagnosis and treatment difficult.

Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues

Parenting a child with sensory processing issues can be quite stressful. Currently, there is no medication available to treat sensory processing issues. However, therapy coupled with everyday changes can make life easier for both of you. Here are some ideas to try.

Learn as much as you can about the symptoms of sensory processing issues, as well as available treatments.

Identify patterns in your child’s behavior to further anticipate situations that may be difficult for her.

If you have a child, chances are the word “independent” causes some concern. With all the trouble children can get into, leaving them alone can be a daunting idea. However, in the right circumstances and with a watchful eye and guiding hand, independence can be a blessing for your child.

Standard classrooms involve a teacher in front of a group of children going over the curriculum assigned to them. Whether they like it or not, your child must understand the information in the way it is provided. Montessori classrooms, on the other hand, allow your child tons of ways they can approach the lessons. Instead of a single lesson taught to the class, children can safely roam through the learning materials provided in their classroom under the watchful eye of their teacher. This way they can benefit from having a say in their learning, and reap the benefits of their independence.

Independent learning:

Boosts Confidence – When children are encouraged to learn independently, they take greater pride in their work. Because it is their choice to learn and they are progressing, they will be more confident in their abilities to learn as well. Don’t be surprised if your child comes running to you to tell you what they learned today!

Enables Exploration & Elicits Interest in Learning – Children have vastly different interests from each other, and the only way for them to find a topic that resonates with them is through exploration. Montessori classrooms contain many different learning materials, which will allow your child to find something they like. Once they do, they will be motivated to continue learning and grasp the concepts better because they are interested in the subject.

Allows for Collaborative Learning – A huge part of Montessori classrooms is their emphasis on social learning. By encouraging children to communicate rather than sit quietly and listen, children can share their knowledge and learn from other students. This allows them to form greater connections with the information because they are hearing, seeing, and speaking it.

Children can be hard to control, but you’d be surprised how far a little independence goes when it comes to their education. Boosted confidence, an interest in learning, and developing social skills are all great benefits that will stick with your child as they progress through school. Independent learning is a great way to ensure your child receives the best opportunities to learn and helps keep their development as well-rounded as possible.